A room in the Cottage.

Agatha, Cottager, his Wife, and Frederick discovered--Agatha reclined upon a wooden bench, Frederick leaning over her.

Frederick:     Good people have you nothing to give her? Nothing that's nourishing.

Wife:     Run, husband, run, and fetch a bottle of wine from the landlord of the inn.

Frederick:     No, no--his wine is as bad as his heart: she has drank some of it, which I am afraid has turned to poison.

Cottager:     Suppose, wife, you look for a new-laid egg?

Wife:     Or a drop of brandy, husband--that mostly cures me.

Frederick:     Do you hear, mother--will you, mother? [Agatha makes a sign with her hand as if she could not take any thing.] She will not. Is there no doctor in this neighbourhood?

Wife:     At the end of the village there lives a horsedoctor. I have never heard of any other.

Frederick:     What shall I do? She is dying. My mother is dying.--Pray for her, good people!

Agatha:     Make yourself easy, dear Frederick, I am well, only weak--Some wholesome nourishment--

Frederick:     Yes, mother, directly--directly. [Aside] Oh where shall I--no money--not a farthing left.

Wife:     Oh, dear me! Had you not paid the rent yesterday, husband--

Cottager:     I then, should know what to do. But as I hope for mercy, I have not a penny in my house.

Frederick:     Then I must--[Apart, coming forward]--Yes, I will go, and beg.--But should I be refused--I will then--leave my mother in your care, good people--Do all you can for her, I beseech you! I shall soon he with you again. [Goes off in haste and confusion.]

Cottager:     If he should go to our parson, I am sure he would give him something.

[Agatha having revived by degrees during the scene, rises.]

Agatha:     Is that good old man still living, who was minister here some time ago?

Wife:     No--It pleased Providence to take that worthy man to heaven two years ago.--We have lost in him both a friend and a father. We shall never get such another.

Cottager:     Wife, wife, our present rector is likewise a very good man.

Wife:     Yes! But he is so very young.

Cottager:     Our late parson was once young too.

Wife [to Agatha.]:     This young man being tutor in our Baron's family, he was very much beloved by them all; and so the Baron gave him this living in consequence.

Cottager:     And well he deserved it, for his pious instructions to our young lady: who is, in consequence, good, and friendly to every body.

Agatha:     What young lady do you mean?

Cottager:     Our Baron's daughter.

Agatha:     Is she here?

Wife:     Dear me! Don't you know that? I thought every body had known that. It is almost five weeks since the Baron and all his family arrived at the castle.

Agatha:     Baron Wildenhaim?

Wife:     Yes, Baron Wildenhaim.

Agatha:     And his lady?

Cottager:     His lady died in France many miles from hence, and her death, I suppose, was the cause of his coming to this estate--For the Baron has not been here till within these five weeks ever since he was married. We regretted his absence much, and his arrival has caused great joy.

Wife [addressing her discourse to Agatha.]:     By all accounts the Baroness was very haughty; and very whimsical.

Cottager:     Wife, wife, never speak ill of the dead. Say what you please against the living, but not a word against the dead.

Wife:     And yet, husband, I believe the dead care least what is said against them--And so, if you please, I'll tell my story. The late Baroness was, they say, haughty and proud; and they do say, the Baron was not so happy as he might have been; but he, bless him, good Baron is still the same as when a boy. Soon after Madam had closed her eyes, he left France, and came to Wildenhaim, his native country.

Cottager:     Many times has he joined in our village dances. Afterwards, when he became an officer, he was rather wild, as most young men are.

Wife:     Yes, I remember when he fell in love with poor Agatha, Friburg's daughter: what a piece of work that was--It did not do him much credit. That was a wicked thing.

Cottager:     Have done--no more of this--It is not well to stir up old grievances.

Wife:     Why, you said I might speak ill of the living. 'Tis very hard indeed, if one must not speak ill of one's neighbours. dead, nor alive.

Cottager:     Who knows whether he was the father of Agatha's child? She never said he was.

Wife:     . Nobody but him--that I am sure--I would lay wager--no, no, husband--you must not take his part--it was very wicked! Who knows what is now become of that poor creature? She has not been heard of this many a year. May be she is starving for hunger. Her father might have lived longer too, if that misfortune had not happened.

[Agatha faints.]

Cottager:     See here! Help! She is fainting--take hold!

Wife:     Oh, poor woman!

Cottager:     Let us take her into the next room.

Wife:     Oh poor woman!--I am afraid she will not live. Come, chear up, chear up. You are with those who feel for you. [They lead her off.]

An apartment in the Castle.

A table spread for breakfast--Several servants in livery disposing the equipage--Baron Wildenhaim enters, attended by a Gentleman in waiting.

Baron:     Has not Count Cassel left his chamber yet?

Gentleman:     No, my lord, he has but now rung for his valet.

Baron:     The whole castle smells of his perfumery. Go, call my daughter hither. [Exit Gentleman.] And am I after all to have an ape for a son-in-law? No, I shall not be in a hurry--I love my daughter too well. We must be better acquainted before I give her to him. I shall not sacrifice my Amelia to the will of others, as I myself was sacrificed. The poor girl might, in thoughtlessness, say yes, and afterwards be miserable. What a pity she is not a boy! The name of Wildenhaim will die with me. My fine estates, my good peasants, all will fall into the hands of strangers. Oh! why was not my Amelia a boy?

Enter Amelia--[She kisses the Baron's hand.]

Amelia:     Good morning, dear my lord.

Baron:     Good morning, Amelia. Have you slept well?

Amelia:     Oh! yes, papa. I always sleep well.

Baron:     Not a little restless last night?

Amelia:     No.

Baron:     Amelia, you know you have a father who loves you, and I believe you know you have a suitor who come to ask permission to love you. Tell me candidly how you like Count Cassel?

Amelia:     Very well.

Baron:     Do not you blush when I talk of him?

Amelia:     No.

Baron:     No--I am sorry for that. aside] Have you dreamt of him?

Amelia:     No.

Baron:     Have you not dreamt at all to-night?

Amelia:     Oh yes--I have dreamt of our chaplain, Mr. Anhalt.

Baron:     Ah ha! As if he stood before you and the Count to ask for the ring.

Amelia:     No: not that--I dreamt we were all still in France, and he, my tutor, just going to take his leave of us for ever--I 'woke with the fright, and found my eyes full of tears.

Baron:     Psha! I want to know if you can love the Count. You saw him at the last ball we were at in France: when he capered round you; when he danced minuets; when he--. But I cannot say what his conversation was.

Amelia:     Nor I either--I do not remember a syllable of it.

Baron:     No? Then I do not think you like him.

Amelia:     I believe not.

Baron:     But I think proper to acquaint you he is rich, and of great consequence: rich, and of consequence; do you hear?

Amelia:     Yes, dear papa. But my tutor has always told me that birth and fortune are inconsiderable things, and cannot give happiness.

Baron:     There he is right--But if it happens that birth and fortune are joined with sense and virtue--

Amelia:     But is it so with Count Cassel?

Baron:     Hem! Hem! Aside.] I will ask you a few questions on this subject; but be sure to answer me honestly--Speak truth.

Amelia:     I never told an untruth in my life.

Baron:     Nor ever conceal the truth from me, I command you.

Amelia:     [Earnestly.] Indeed, my lord, I never will.

Baron:     I take you at your word--And now reply to me truly--Do you like to hear the Count spoken of?

Amelia:     Good, or bad?

Baron:     Good. Good.

Amelia:     Oh yes; I like to hear good of every body.

Baron:     But do not you feel a little fluttered when he is talked of?

Amelia:     No. [shaking her head.]

Baron:     Are not you a little embarrassed?

Amelia:     No.

Baron:     Don't you wish sometimes to speak to him, and have not the courage to begin?

Amelia:     No.

Baron:     Do not you wish to take his part when his companions laugh at him?

Amelia:     No--I love to laugh at him myself.

Baron:     Provoking! Aside.] Are not you afraid of him when he comes near you?

Amelia:     No, not at all.--Oh yes--once. collecting herself.]

Baron:     Ah I Now it comes!

Amelia:     Once at a ball he trod on my foot; and I was so afraid he should tread on me again.

Baron:     You put me out of patience. Hear, Amelia! [stops short, and speaks softer.] To see you happy is my wish. But matrimony, without concord, is like a duetteo badly performed; for that reason, nature, the great composer of all harmony, has ordained, that, when bodies are allied, hearts should be in perfect unison. However, I will send Mr. Anhalt to you--

Amelia [much pleased]:     Do, papa.

Baron:     --He shall explain to you my sentiments. [Rings.] A clergyman can do this better than--[Enter servant.] Go directly to Mr. Anhalt, tell him that I shall be glad to see him for a quarter of an hour if he is not engaged. [Exit servant.

Amelia [calls after him]:     Wish him a good morning from me.

Baron [looking at his watch]:     The Count is a tedious time dressing.--Have you breakfasted, Amelia?

Amelia:     No, papa. [they sit down to breakfast.]

Baron:     How is the weather? Have you walked this morning?

Amelia:     Oh, yes--I was in the garden at five o'clock; it is very fine.

Baron:     Then I'll go out shooting. I do not know in what other way to amuse my guest.

Enter Count Cassel.

Count:     Ah, my dear Colonel! Miss Wildenhaim, I kiss your hand.

Baron:     Good morning! Good morning! though it is late in the day, Count. In the country we should rise earlier.

[Amelia offers the Count a Cup of tea.]

Count:     Is it Hebe herself, or Venus, or --

Amelia:     Ha, ha, ha! Who can help laughing at his nonsense?

Baron [rather angry]:     Neither Venus, nor Hebe; but, Amelia Wildenhaim, if you please.

Count [Sitting down to breakfast]:     You are beautiful, Miss Wildenhaim.--Upon my honour, I think so. I have travelled, and seen much of the world, and yet I can positively admire you.

Amelia:     I am sorry I have not seen the world.

Count:     Wherefore?

Amelia:     Because I might then, perhaps, admire you.

Count:     True;--for I am an epitome of the world. In my travels I learnt delicacy in Italy--hauteur, in Spain--in France, enterprize--in Russia, prudence--in England, sincerity--in Scotland, frugality--and in the wilds of America, I learnt love.

Amelia:     Is there any country where love is taught?

Count:     In all barbarous countries. But the whole system is exploded in places that are civilized.

Amelia:     And what is substituted in its stead?

Count:     Intrigue.

Amelia:     What a poor, uncomfortable substitute!

Count:     There are other things--Song, dance, the opera, and war.

[Since the entrance of the Count the Baron has removed to a table at a little distance.

Baron:     What are you talking of there?

Count:     Of war, Colonel.

Baron [rising]:     Ay, we like to talk on what we don't understand.

Count [rising]:     Therefore, to a lady, I always speak of politics; and to her father, on love.

Baron:     I believe, Count, notwithstanding your sneer, I am still as much of a proficient in that art as yourself.

Count:     I do not doubt it, my dear Colonel, for you are a soldier: and since the days of Alexander, whoever conquers men is certain to overcome women.

Baron:     An achievement to animate a poltroon.

Count:     And, I verily believe, gains more recruits than the king's pay.

Baron:     Now we are on the subject of arms, should you like to go out a shooting with me for an hour before dinner?

Count:     Bravo, Colonel! A charming thought! This will give me an opportunity to use my elegant gun: the but is inlaid with mother-of-pearl. You cannot find better work, or better taste.--Even my coat of arms is engraved.

Baron:     But can you shoot?

Count:     That I have never tried--except, with my eyes, at a fine woman.

Baron:     I am not particular what game I pursue.--I have an old gun; it does not look fine; but I can always bring down my bird.

Enter Servant.

Servant:     Mr. Anhalt begs leave--

Baron:     Tell him to come in.--I shall be ready in a moment. [Exit Servant.

Count:     Who is Mr. Anhalt?

Amelia:     Oh, a very good man. [with warmth.]

Count:     "A good man." In Italy, that means a religious man; in France, it means a cheerful man; in Spain, it means a wise man; and in England, it means a rich man.--Which good man of all these is Mr. Anhalt?

Amelia:     A good man in every country, except England.

Count:     And give me the English good man, before that of any other nation.

Baron:     And of what nation would you prefer your good woman to be, Count?

Count:     Of Germany. [bowing to Amelia.]

Amelia:     In compliment to me?

Count:     In justice to my own judgment.

Baron:     Certainly. For have we not an instance of one German woman, who possesses every virtue that ornaments the whole sex; whether as a woman of illustrious rank, or in the more exalted character of a wife, and a mother?

Enter Mr. Anhalt.

Anhalt:     I come by your command, Baron--

Baron:     Quick, Count.--Get your elegant gun.--I pass your apartments, and will soon call for you.

Count:     I fly.--Beautiful Amelia, it is a sacrifice I make to your father, that I leave for a few hours his amiable daughter. [Exit.

Baron:     My dear Amelia, I think it scarcely necessary to speak to Mr. Anhalt, or that he should speak to you, on the subject of the Count; but as he is here, leave us alone.

Amelia [as she retires]:     Good morning, Mr. Anhalt.--I hope you are very well. [Exit.

Baron:     I'll tell you in a few words why I sent for you. Count Cassel is here, and wishes to marry my daughter.

Anhalt [much concerned]:     Really!

Baron:     He is--he--in a word I don't like him.

Anhalt [with emotion]:     And Miss Wildenhaim--

Baron:     I shall not command, neither persuade her to the marriage--I know too well the fatal influence of parents on such a subject. Objections to be sure, if they could be removed--But when you find a man's head without brains, and his bosom without a heart, these are important articles to supply. Young as you are, Anhalt, I know no one so able to restore, or to bestow those blessings on his fellow-creatures, as you. [Anhalt bows.] The Count wants a little of my daughter's simplicity and sensibility.--Take him under your care while he is here, and make him something like yourself.--You have succeeded to my wish in the education of my daughter.--Form the Count after your own manner.--I shall then have what I have sighed for all my life--a son.

Anhalt:     With your permission, Baron, I will ask one question. What remains to interest you in favour of a man, whose head and heart are good for nothing?

Baron:     Birth and fortune. Yet, if I thought my daughter absolutely disliked him, or that she loved another, I would not thwart a first affection;--no, for the world, I would not. [sighing.] But that her affections are already bestowed, is not probable.

Anhalt:     Are you of opinion that she will never fall in love?

Baron:     Oh! no. I am of opinion that no woman ever arrived at the age of twenty without that misfortune.--But this is another subject.--Go to Amelia--explain to her the duties of a wife and of a mother.--If she comprehends them, as she ought, then ask her if she thinks she could fulfil those duties, as the wife of Count Cassel.

Anhalt:     I will.--But--I--Miss Wildenhaim--[confused]. I shall--I--I shall obey your commands.

Baron:     Do so. [gives a deep sigh.] Ah! so far this weight is removed; but there lies still a heavier next my heart.--You understand me.--How is it, Mr. Anhalt? Have you not yet been able to make any discoveries on that unfortunate subject?

Anhalt:     I have taken infinite pains; but in vain. No such person is to be found.

Baron:     Believe me, this burthen presses on my thoughts so much, that many nights I go without sleep. A man is sometimes tempted to commit such depravity when young.--Oh, Anhalt! had I, in my youth, had you for a tutor;--but I had no instructor but my passions; no governor but my own will. [Exit.

Anhalt:     This commission of the Baron's in respect to his daughter, I am--[looks about]--If I shou'd meet her now, I cannot--I must recover myself first, and then prepare.--A walk in the fields, and a fervent prayer--After these, I trust, I shall return, as a man whose views are solely placed on a future world; all hopes in this, with fortitude resigned. [Exit.